Heat exchanger



E. K. KINTNER HEAT EXCHANGER Jan. 15, 1952 4 sheetsheet 2 Filed Aug. 5l,1948 Jan.A 15, 1952 E, K, K|NTNER 2,582,871

HEAT EXCHANGER Filed Aug. 5l, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN a v Kv w76 133134 140 E. K. KINTNER HEAT EXCHANGER Jan. 15, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Aug. 5l, 1948 .INVENTOK M6/L 77 Tini...

Patented Jan. 15, 1952 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFElcE 2,582,871 HEATEXCHANGER Edwin K. Kintner, Winnetka, Ill., assignor, by mesneassignments, to The Pfaudler Co., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of NewYork Application July 31, 1948, Serial No. 41,781

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to heat exchangers. More particularly, it relatesto improvements in heat exchangers of the plate and gasket type.

It is an object of this invention to provide a one-piece gasket forplate and gasket type heat exchangers in which gasket full protection isprovided against leakage between channels or passageways sealed thereby.

A further object is to provide a heat exchanger adapted to handle foodproducts and comprising a one-piece gasket construction sealing aplurality of channels or passageways and including means in the gasketfor preventing leakage between such channels or passageways.

Still another object is to provide a one-piece gasket for heatexchangers of the plate and gasket type which gasket seals a pluralityof channels or passageways and is provided with means for directing tothe exterior of the heat exchanger any material which may leak from suchchannels or passageways.

Still another object is to provide a one-piece gasket for heatexchangers of the plate and gasket type which gasket is adapted to seala plurality of channels or passageways and comprises means for directingleakage from such channels or passageways to the atmosphere and meansfor supporting adjacent plates in the vicinity of openings formedthrough such plates.

Still another object is to provide heat exchangers comprising gaskets ofthe type described in the preceding objects.

Still another object is to provide heat exchanger construction of theplate and gasket type including readily demountable means for hangingplates therein.

Still another object is to provide a cold plate for a heat exchanger ofthe plate and gasket type comprising an expansion chamber for.refrigerant gas.

Still another object is to provide a novel gasket construction adaptedto be used with such cold plate.

A still further object is to provide a heat exchanger comprising such acold plate.

A still further object is to provide a heat ex. changer comprising sucha cold plate and a novel gasket construction adapted to be used withsuch cold plate.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It has now been found that the foregoing objects may be accomplished bythe structures illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form apart of this specification and which are included in order that theinvention may be better understood and in which Fig. 1 is a view inperl, to the View shown in Fig. 1 but illustrating the device in openposition to facilitate cleaning.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view in perspective, illus- A trating the gasketand typical plate constructions.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view on the line 'I--lof Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the ilow of uids through thedevice shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an exploded View in perspective, illustrating the plate andgasket members employed in another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view through a heatexchanger embodying elements shown in Fig. 9 and taken on the lineIU--IU of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, illustrating still anotherembodiment of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 9 illustrating still anotherembodiment of the invention.

Fig. 13 is a view in perspective showing the parts illustrated in Fig.12 in assembled relation; and

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view on the lineI4--I4 in Fig. 13.

Heat exchangers embodying the features of the present invention may besupported on any desired type of frame structure. The structureillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 has been found to possess certainadvantages in use, but the invention is not intended to be limitedthereto. This preferred structure includes vertically extendingstationary head Il), rigidly connected by a series of spacer bars l2,I4, I'l and I8 to a front piece 20. The head Ill and the front piece 20are preferably formed of relatively heavy rigid plate material, such asmetal plate for example steel, the stationary head I0 preferably beingfrom one and one-half to two or more inches thick. As will appearhereinafter, the front piece 20 may be of lighter construction, beingformed for example from three-fourths inch steel plate, although theinvention is not intended to be limited to a front piece of thisthickness.

The spacer bars I2 and I4, in addition to co-I operating with thestationary head I and front piece 20 to provide a rigid frame, serve assupports for the plate and gasket construction to be described. It isdesirable in some cases to suspend plates or gaskets or both from thetop spacer bar I2 and at the same time to be able to remove thesuspended members from the structure for cleaning. To this end thespacer bar I2 is formed as illustrated in Fig. 3. As may be seen in thisgure, the spacer bar I2 comprises a rod 22 extending between the head Iland the front piece 20 and terminating at its opposite ends in the planeof the inner ver-.- tical face of the stationary head I0 and the frontpiece 26, respectively. The rod 272 is preferably encased by a sleeve 24which takes up some of the wear and which may for example be formed ofstainless steel for sanitary purposes. The rod 22 is secured to the headI0 and front piece 29v respectively by suitable bolts, such for exampleas hex-head bolts 26 and 28 respectively which are threaded into theopposite ends of the rod 22 as at 38 and 32. The bolts 26 and 28 as maybe seen extend through openings 34 and 36 formed respectively in thestationary head I0 and the front piece 26.. Each of these openings 3.4and 3 6 is preferably made large enough so that the rod 22 with thesleeve 24 thereon may slide through the openings 34 and 36 readily.Within the openings 34 and 35 collars 38 and 48 respectively havingoutside diameters approximating those of the openings 34 and 36 andinside diameters just large enough to receive the bolts 26 and 28 serveto center the bolts 25 and 28 within the large openings 34 and 36. Itwill be seen that the collars 38 and 40 are of the same lengthrespectively as the members I0 and 20 through which they extend.Finally, the construction includes washers 42 and 44 of larger diameterthan the openings 34 and 38 so that when the bolts 26 and 28 arethreaded into the rod 22l to tightly clamp the collars 38 and 46respectively against the opposite ends of the rod 22 the washers 42 and44 engaging the outer` faces respectively of the head Ii) and the frontpiece 2U position the inner faces` of the head I6 and front piece 20 insubstantially the same plane with the ends of the rod 22, therebyproviding the, desired rigid construction and spacing of the head Il!and front piece 20.. At the same time this construction permits of readyremoval of the rod 2,2 With its sleeve 24 simply by removing one of thebolts 26 or 28 whereupon the rod 22 and its sleeve 24 may be Withdrawnthrough the opposite opening 34 or 315 as the case may be, permittingany hanging plates or gaskets suspended on the bar I2 to be taken out ofthe machine.

The spacer bar I4 is in some respects similar in construction to the barI2 in that it includes a central rod-like portion 48 carrying a sleeve4i. Since there is ordinarily no occasion for removing the bar I4,however, it may be secured to the stationary head I and the front piece2G. in any desired manner, as for example by turning down the ends ofthe rodlike portion 43 and extending them through openings in the headIii] and the front piece 28 where they can be secured and threadingnutssuch as nut 48 onto the projecting ends of the bar I4. These nutswill clamp the head. I0 or front piece 28 against the shoulders on therod 46 formed by turning down the ends as described.

The bars I6 and I8 may be constructed as desired. InY the embodimentillustrated they consist of rods the ends of which are turned down andthreaded as described with respect to the rod 46. Nuts 48 secured on thethreaded portions clamp the head l0 or front piece 20 as the case may beagainst the shoulder formed by turning the ends of the rods I6 or I8down. It is preferred that the heat exchanger which is designatedgenerally 5t be provided with suitable feet, such as feet 52, tofacilitate movement. As may bevseen, the front piece 2e and head I0 areeach providedwith two feet 52.

Supported on the spacer bars I2 and I4 between the stationary head I8and the front piece 20 is a follow head 54 which cooperates with thestationary head EG in clamping together the plates and gaskets as willbe described. The follow head 54, like the stationary head l, ispreferably formed or" a rigid material, for example steel plate andpreferably has a thickness of the same general order as the stationaryhead I as set forth above. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the stationary head Iii and the front piece 26 are both longer than the foilou7head 54 in order to support the plate and gasket assembly 56 in anelevated position where it is. conveniently accessible. It Will beunderstood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to thisparticular type, of arrangement. As is apparent from the drawings, theassembly of plates and gaskets previously referred to is supported onthe spacer barsV I2 and i4 between the stationary head IE) and thefollowhead 54'. in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs.l through 8, the plate and gasket assembly consists of a series ofgaskets 58 shaped and constructed as indicated in Fig. 6 and arrangedwith a series of plates, including plates of two types represented bythe platey 69 and the plate 82, illustrated in Fig. 6. As best seen inFigs. 4 and '7, between each adjacent pair of gaskets 58 there is eithera plate Gil or a plate 62 so that the arrangement consists of plate,gasket, plate, gasket, plate, gasket, etc. To prevent the gaskets. 5eand the plates 68 and 62 from falling oli` the spacer' bars I2' and I4as soon as 'E the clamping pressure is released, the gasket 58 isprovided with slots G4 centrally on each end of suitable size to receivethe spacer bars I2 and I4 in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 5'.Similarly, the plates 8 8 and E2 are formed with slots @e on theiropposite ends in which the spacer bars I2 and i4 are received. Thismethod of supporting the gaskets and the plates 88 and 62 on the spacerbars i2 and i4 permits the gaskets and plates to be readily removed inthe manner indicated in Fig. 4, that is, by tiiting the plate or gasketas the case may be until it can be lifted out.

In order that the gaskets 58A may provide an effective seal betweenadjacent plates 68 and 62, it is necessary that the assembly of platesand gaskets be tightly clamped together. To this end means is providedfor clamping the follow head and the stationary head together with theassembly of plates and gaskets 58 therebetween as shown in Figs. 1 and2. Any desired clamping means may be employed, but in accordance withthe preferred' construction illustrated in the drawings, the clamp-ingmeans comprises a series of rods E513v having heads i) on one endthereof. It has been found that very satisfactory clamping can beobtained by employing six of the rods 68 positioned as indicated in Fig.1 and extending through aligned openings in the stationary head I8 andthe follow head 54. Although the rods 68 could be inserted first througheither the folfound preferable to insert these rods first through thefollow head 54 so that the heads 1.0 on the rods 68 engage against theouter surfaceof the follow head 54. This arrangement has been found togive less trouble with the stripping of the threads on the rods 68 orthe cooperating nuts 12 which are preferably permanently secured to theouter face of the stationary head l0. An ample thread portion isprovided on the rod 68 so that these rods 68 may be easily engaged inthe nuts 12 and then drawn up until the desired clamping pressure isapplied.

The construction of the gaskets 58 forms an important part of thisinvention. In a plate vand gasket heat exchanger of the type shown, thefluids between which heat is to be exchanged are arranged to flow on theopposite sides of each of the plates 60, and 62 so that the heatexchange occurs in each instance through a plate 60 or a plate 62. Thegaskets 58 in addition to sealing between the plates 60 and 62 toprevent the fluids between which heat is being exchanged from escapingfrom the machine, also direct the flow of uid over the plane surfaces ofthe plates 60er 62, as the case may be. Fluids between which heat is tobe exchanged are admitted through a head such as the head I or the head54 and must be conducted past certain gaskets and plates in order toreach plates and gaskets spaced from lthe head where the particulariiuid is admitted. Thus, fluids are directed past the gasket 58 throughthe openings 14 and 16 provided in one end thereof. A similar purpose ofdirecting fluids past plates 60 and 62 is served by openings 18 and 80in plate 88 and 82 and 84 in plate 62. In this connection it may bepointed out that plates 60 and 52 are identical in form, except for thelocation of the openings 18,A 80, 82 and 84 therein. Furthermore, theseplates 60 and 62 are merely typical of the type of plates which may beused in an assembly of plates and gaskets such as the assembly 56.Although the openings 18, 80, 32 and 84 in the plates 60 and 62 are solo,- cated as to align properly with the gasket 58, it is within thescope of the invention to ernploy plates having openings in any one,two, three or all of the four corners of the plate, depending upon themanner in which it is desired to direct iiuids between which heat is tobe exchanged through the heat exchanger designated generally 50. U

Except for the number and location of the openings, such as 18, 80 etc.,all of the plates 68 and 62 are preferably identical in construction andare formed of a thin rigid material, preferably thin sheet metal andwhere food products are 'to be `handled they are preferably stainlesssteel. The opposite broad faces of these plates are plain andsubstantially parallel and are preferably polished smooth. The thicknessof the plates can be varied as desired and preferab-ly is variedsomewhat, depending upon the pressure to be employed. For pressuresunder about 50 pounds per square inch, 18-gauge stainless steel has beenfound to be entirely satisfactory. The size of the plates can likewisevary as desired, so long as the gaskets are pro- .6" the structure, itis pointed out that this gasket preferably consists of a rigid templatesuch as the sheet steel 86 each element of which is encased in asuitable covering of resilient material 88. It has been found preferableto form the resilient covering of neoprene synthetic rubber composition,and this is particularly true when food is being handled. Theconfiguration of the template 86 is identical with that of the gasket58. f

Although it is an important characteristic of the gasket 58 that it isin one piece, it in reality comprises two parts, one of which designatedas 90 directs the flow of iiuid overthe surface of a plate 60 or` 62 andthe other of which designated as 92 provides sealed ports through whichfluid is directed past the gasket 58. Heretofore these two parts 90 and92 have been formed as separate gaskets, because it is essential,particularly for food handling, that leakage between ports such as 14and 16 and the channels in the portion 90 be absolutely prevented byproviding means for directing leakage from the ports or channels to theatmosphere. This is done by means of what is called a leak detector slotwhich is interposed between ports 14 and 16 and the channels in theportion 90.

In gasket constructions heretofore known the inclusion of the leakdetector groove has necessitated forming the gasket in two separateparts. The present invention provides means whereby a leak detectorgroove designated as 94 may be provided without necessitating theformation of gasket 58 in two separate portions. This means takes theform of ear portions 96 formed on the opposite sides ofthe gasket 58thereby permitting the leak detector slot 94 to extend out beyond theedges of the plates 60 or 62 and communicate with the atmosphere, or, toput it another way, the ear portions 96 formed on the template 86provide a connection between the portion 90 and the portion 92 of thegasket. The leak detector slot 94 extends across the gasket 58 as shownand also extends entirelyv through its thickness so that leakage oneither face of the gasket 58 from the port 14 or the port 16 or theportion 90 of the gasket must necessarily enter the leak detector slot94 andv pass to the atmosphere at one end of the slot 94 and cannotreach either port from the portion 90 or reach the' portion 90 fromeither port.

Although it has vbeen found convenient to prof 'f vide the ears 96 onboth sides of the gasket 58,

62 and any ports directing fluid past the gasket 58, the configurationof the gasket may take any of a wide variety of forms within the scopeof the present invention. The configuration of the gasket 58 illustratedis a preferred structure and permits the use of the same gasket fordirecting the ow of both the fluids between which heat is to beexchanged.

The portion 90 or the gasket 58 necessarily is provided with acontinuous peripheral portionA comprising side members 98 and |00 andend members |02 and |04. In addition to this continuous peripheralportion, the gasket is provided with three ribs or vanes |06, |08 and||0 by means of which a fluid entering either at the poi-nt 1I |21throug-h an oprzni-ngr` such as ltleppen.-- ing180 f'inf the nplatel 60or; thei point .2| I 4 -througli ai corresponding` opening;v (not.shown) is caused'Jtorl ow acrossithe: surface of: two'- plates 60h' or62 .i between whichy the particular.-` gasket. 58: is clamped `in thepathv lyingibetween'the peripheral` portionltan'dthe rib 1| IIIiIofIthegasket;` From` this ..channel .the :fluid is1 directed aroundlthe end'of if the;y rib I I0. and lupllbetween .the-ribs I I0 and" |08aroundtheendlof 'therib .I 08,'.do'wnfbetw'een the ribs |06 and` I08;..aroundzfthe1send fluff-the: rib; |06. and .up;.between `the^rih I06f-andthe :aperiphf eral.:v portion" 08 4to thegpoint f I |2'-from1:which? it passesvthroughanopening in one of theiplatesf: between"whichit .isolarnped and. isxconductedi to 'another .gasket or; out fof"the "heat exchanger; Itzwill bezunderstood that'gthe channelajustdescribed; extending,fromr-thefpoint 1| I 4-fto the .point II2v` isprovided by:` openings which extend' through .the full :thickness 'ofthe .-gasket.: Thus A fluid :entering p the point` I I 4 g andl iowings@down between the peripheral portion |D-and the vane- |I0 isrin contactwith both of the metal plates between which the gasket 58-is clamped.

Onegasket ft-is. positioned Iwith-:the Vportsv'Id and 'I6-1owe1most, andthe znext'gasket isposi` tioned with these ports uppermost,etc. Inv thiswayl one `oifthe Atwo uids between which `heatis toube. exchangedisconducted through theheat` exchanger .lfrom one plate overwhich itflows tothe next plate overfwhichit flows through! aheaderorheadersformed by. aligned openings in plates.. and gasketsalong.. thev bottomr of theY exchanger 50, and theother fluidisconducted througha similar header or headers in thetop of the exchangerv50."l 4

In order to support plates such vas 60' and BZ adjacent openings such as18, ete,y on .the sidem which is .in communication with afpoint||2'or`||4of`a gasket58-for instance, fingers IIB and'II8 are .provided(th'ef opposite Iside of the plate 60 or 62 being inengagernentwith` anend 92 of the'gask'et 58). These .fingers extend from the peripheralportion |02`of the gasket 58 longitudinallyofand centrallyvof thechannels extending 'respectively?betweenV peripheral portion-|00 randvaner I I0 andperipheral portion |08` andvane |06.- As'may-'beseenrinfig; '7;' the" ngers l| I5 and lI I 0 are' long enoughso thattheir ends are'located inwardly ofith'e peripheral por-'- tion` |04)of'adjacent gaskets58 wherebythese"r fingers together with`otherfpartsof theY same gasket-lying oppositefto the said adjacentperiph-f eral portions |El-- insures 'good-1 sealingv Contactbetween'the opposite'facesof the'peripheral portion |001` andthe platesVbetween-whioh'it is clamped'. Referring to Fig. '7 itwillbe'seen` that'l at a point-suchas thepoint I205`a' platewould-f' befdprovided withrelatively poor f supportl onifits left-hand `sidewere it -notforl the''hger I I8."` Fingers 'I I6 land I I8 vthusroooperate with theleakdetector' slot `91| in preventingV leakageff'between al port I4 orIE and' the' portion.v S0? off? the' gasket' 58;

Gasket 58 may befformed of anyldesired thick# ness within the scopeoftheinvention; VIt is lpref erable, however, that itbe'relati'vely-thinsince-lit is'by this means that most effective heat exchange-2 isobtained. Plate and gasket heat exchangers-of the typeshown dependlargely for their effectiveness upon `the'fact thatthe/heatexch'angeftakesa place between relatively yshallwwing 'streamsof the' uids between which heat'fis Atoibe'ex changed. A preferredover-'al1 thickness..for1gasket A58 is about one-eighth'ioffan inch;APreferred? widthforf the: channelslsuchl asf` the channeli75 lwhere-.itcanv pass-through1the-openng 84-irr lOl of m'ensions. are ymerely'Aillustrative and that theyfomedubetweengmef. peripheral portlont |00."and 2.

tlrefluid how-ingr'overfthesurface of alplate i60 or.rv

thckflandfiabout twoinchesiiwider 'Ihesei stream: dimensions; however;``are.' givenV .only asillustra'y tions and i' asi: a.: preferredlembodiment and are Y not torbeifregardedl asilimitationssince it islwlth in'fthe scope-of theiinvention to use otherfstreamlAdirnensions-ifdeslred.; Byfwayfofxfurther illus-V gasket an over-all.thickness of about`to about f. thousandths of an.inch',lthat is,approximately.

oneeeighthfiofan' inch. Still'v further illustratplate. on either l sideiasseen for. example in Fig;

5 .and that ends of 'fthe slot 94project out beyond:

theisteel plate-.about.three-eighths of an-inch. Itisi againvpointedfout.' however, .that these,l di-v mayrbe varied .as desired solongas-they slot 94 projects far. enoughvto .communicate with theatmospherefon at leastzone side'ofvthezmachine.

Fig'...8:shows a owdiagramfor one-.particular embodiment of thisinventionof'which there are many; Forpurposesof-illustrating iow in thisgure; .it has been'necessaryftoshowI the parts 2 exploded and toomitfrom the drawing the details 1 of-thestructure vof the gasket 58.` It isto be unzfluidy. Starting at the .left-hand side of Fig. 8

withthe stationaryV head. I0, it may be'seenr that the fluidforswhichthepath. ofAow-,is indicated byfth'eheavy; black1line:.|22 enters through aport |24 Iinf-the'stationary.head I0 and'ows upy wardly, theni down;then up'. again, thendown in the;:channels provided `by thergasketf58'a. be-

tween the stationary Ihead I 0f andathe plate G2-a untilY it comes tothe point designated 1| 2I5A where it ableitozenter: the opening 82 ,inthel plate |2-;a.y Itpa'sses through lthissopening, through thealignedopening 14 inthe gasket 58-b, through the alignedopening :18 :inthe-plate 60-a,v from which it enters channels providedzby: the gasket.

5Bc between the plates 60+a'5an'd. 62.-'binl which itflows untilqitcomesuto'thepoint 4.|28 where it "'can'enter. theopening 825m. plate.B2-B fromA which-.it passes through theopening. 'I6 in the. gasket58--d; through'lthe'openingJ'I-in the plate.

GII-'13, from which it'can enter the .channels providedby.theagasketie'between the vplate BU-b 60"and the follow headJlI: TheseAchannels guide it between'plate'b and follow head 54 until eventuallyit comes to".l the point` |30 where itcan alignedv opening '|6in Vvthevgasket 58-ie, through 1 the opening Bfin'the'plate 60417, from which itenters'thechannels provided by thev gasket 58:41` In thesevv channels itis guided between ythese-plates alongI the path' indicated vuntilit'fcomes to the point |36 plate 62-b through the opening 'M in gasket58-c, through the opening 88 in plate Gil-a and into the channelsprovided by the gasket 58-b between plates 50-:1 and t'-a. At the end ofthese channels at point |38 the fluid passes into and through theopening 8f3 in plate 62-a, through the aligned opening l5 in gasket53-0. and out of the machine through the opening |40 in the stationaryhead I0.

Referring back to Figs. l, 2 and fl it is pointed out that it ispreferred to provide sanitary ports, such as |42 and |55, locatedrespectively on the follow head 54 and the stationary head I0 to admitlfood products to or discharge them from the exchanger. On the otherhand, non-food products or cooling or heating media such as steam,brine, cold water, etc. may be admitted or discharged through anydesired type of port, for example, ports provided by drilling andtapping the head I or the follow head 54 to receive ordinary water pipe,such as the pipe sections |46 and |48 shown in Figs. l and 2.

Fig. 9 illustrates a cold plate designated generally |50 which isadapted to be used in combination with a pair of gaskets 5B such as havebeen described above and with plates such as the plates 60 and 62 orother similar plates, of which there are a wide variety as describedabove, differing only in the number and location of the openingstherethrough. As may be readily seen in Fig. 9

A the cold plate |50 has the same general configuration as the gaskets58. It is, however, preferably formed of a rigid material and ispreferably somewhat thicker than the gaskets 50. By way of illustrationthe plate |50 might be a casting and is preferably formed of metal suchas aluminum', steel' or the like. Y

The plate |58 further differs from the gasket 58 in that it is providedwith a continuous tube |52 which extends through the side walls oftheplate as at |54 and |55 and extends from these points around through thechannels in the plate |50 as indicatedin the drawings. The thickness ofthe plate V|50 will be determined by the diameter of the tube |52, thatis, the plate |50 will always have a thickness greater than thedia'meter of the tube |52 so that the tube |52 may extend wholly'`within the space between the planes of the broad faces of the plate |50.The particular form ofthe tube |52 shown is, however, merelyillustrative. Thus, for example, instead of running a single piece oftubing of uniform diameter through the full length of the channels,tubing headers can be extended laterally of the channels from the inletand exit and lengths of tubing, if desired, of smaller diameter extendedbetween the headers in the vvarious straight portions of the channels orany other desired arrangement may be used. Y

Freon gas or other refrigerant in compressed form will be supplied tothe tube |52 and expanded therein as itpasses through the portion of thetube |52 extending Within the connes of the plate |50, exerting arefrigerating effect within the tube |52. As in the embodiment of theinvention described above, the plate |50 with a gasket 58 on either facewill be clainped between a pair of plates such as the plates 60 and 62shown so that in the clamping arrangement relatively thick channels willbe provided as indicated at |58 in Fig. 10 which shows the elements inassembled relation. Preferably the space in these relatively thickchannels which is not occupied by the tube |52 will be filled with amedium having good heat transfer properties, for example, water, or

alternatively water may be supplied through the opening 'I8 in plate 60to enter the thick channels designated |58 in which it will iiow up anddown between the plates 60 and 62 until it reaches the opening 82 in theplate 62, from which it will pass out of the heat exchanger or bedirected elsewhere in the heat exchanger.

In a complete heat exchanger the assembly, including the cold plate |50and the two gaskets 58, would simply replace alternate gaskets 50 in theilow diagram shown in Fig. 8, for example, leaving the remainder of theassembly as shown, or the assembly including the cold plate 50 and thepair of gaskets 58 could be substituted in any heat exchange structureof the type described herein for alternate gaskets 58. The heat exchangemedium in the thick channels designated as |58 whether stationary oriiowing will be cooled by the expansion of the refrigerant within thetube |52 and will in turn cool the adjacent plates 60 and 62 therebycooling the medium to be cooled which is flowing over the opposite facesof the plates and 62. The purpose in employing tube |52 for therefrigerant and surrounding it with the medium having good heat transferproperties is to minimize the possibility that the liquid medium beingcooled will be cooled to such an extent that it will solidify within theheat ex-` changer.

Fig. 11 illustrates an alternative cold plate construction |60. Thiswould take the place of the plate |50 and the two associated gaskets 58.rlhis plate |60 is constructed in the same way as the plate |59 with thesingle exception that it is provided with a coating |62 of neoprene orother resilient material in the same manner as the template for gaskets58 is provided with a coating of neoprene or other resilient material.The thickness of the plate |50 which may be employed as a template forthe plate |65 may be varied as desired to give any desired thickness tothe channels |64 provided therein through which the tube |52 extends.The resilient coating |62 will permit the plate |60 to simply besubstituted for a gasket 58 in an assembly such 4as illustrated in Fig.8, that is, plates such as 60 and 82 will be clamped directly againstthe opposite faces of plate |60. Attention is particularly directed atthis point to the fact that both the plate |50 and the plate |60 includea leak detector slot |66, as illustrated in Fig. 9, similar to the slot94 provided in the gaskets 58, although this may be omitted from theplate |50 when it is used in combination with gaskets 58, since theslots 94 in these gaskets will be adequate to carry off to theatmosphere any leakage.

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate still another form of cold platedesignated generally |68. In Fig. 12 the middle one of the three coldplates shown in the exploded view has portions broken away and theremainder of the interior construction indicated by dotted lines. As maybe seen in this iigure the plate |68 is of sandwich type constructionincluding a body portion |10 sandwiched between a pair of facing plates|12 and |'|l| which plates may be identical in construction with platessuch as plates Sil and 52 previously described. The body |76 like thegasket 53 and the plate |50 previously described includes a flowdirecting portion |76 which may be constructed to direct flow along anydesired path but preferably directs iiow in the path indicated in thesame manner as the gasket 58 and the plate |59. The upper end of thebody |68 is provided with ports |78 and |80 similar to the ports l5 and-I6 in the gasket 58. It does not, however, have the leak detector slotof gasket 58 since such slot is not required in the plate |66 forreasons which will become apparent. Extending through the edge wall ofthe body |68 into the opposite ends of the channel |82 along which body|68 directs flow are a pair'of tubes |84 and |86 through one of which afluid medium can be directed into the channel |82 and after flowing ythelength of the channel may be directed out of the other.

It will b'e noted that the plate |68 differs from the constructionspreviously described in that it includes as integral parts thereof theheat exchange plates |12 and |14, corresponding to plates 60 and 62 andwhich in the other constructions are in each instance separate fromvotherwise cut to provide the ports |73 vand |80,

the space bar receiving slots ISBand |80 and the openings |92 and |94for the tubes |84 and |86. The plates |12 and |14 Yare then suitablysecured to the body |10. In accordance with the preferred constructionthe body will be of metal such as steel and the plates |12 and |121.,particularly if the plate |68 is to be used to cool a food product, willbeformed of stainless steel and polished on their outer faces. Theseplates |12 and |14 are then welded to Vthe body |88 around the entireperiphery of the flow directing portion |16 and also about each of theports |18 and v|80 to insure against any leakage from the ports |18 and|80 or from the channels v|82 between either the plate |12 or the plate|14 and the body |10. By this means the 'plate |68 becomes an integralstructure containing within its interior channels |82 in which ow maybedirected across the surface of each of plates '|12 'and |14 andproviding on its exterior heat exchanging surfaces over which a fluidmedium may be directed to exchange heat with the `fluid medium flowingin the channels |82,

Plate |68 is designed to receive a refrigerant such as a compressedrefrigerant gas through one of the tubes |84 and |86 which will -thenexpand in the channels |82 and eventually leave through the other tube,meanwhile exerting a refrigerant effect on the heat exchange plates |12and |14, although the plate |68 could be used to handle media other thana refrigerant. It will be noted that this plate |68 diiers Vfrom plates|50 and |80 -i'n that the refrigerant is -in vdirect contact with theadjacent heat exchange plates-instead of being contained 'in 'tubeswithin the channels |82.

Asv suggested above, plate |68 requires no leak detectorslot because theWeldedconstruction precludes leakage. Similarly because only the mediumwhich is to exchange heat with that circulating in channels |82 isdirected through 'the heat exchanger past the various plates andgaskets, the ygaskets |96 designed for use with the plate |98 likewisedo not require leak detector slots. These gaskets |96 to be used withthe plate |68 preferably have the configuration indicated in Fig. 12. Ingeneral they are preferably of the same construction as the gasket 58in- "12 cluding a template the elements of which are encased in amaterial such as neoprene. As in the gasket 58 the flow directingportions of the gasket |96 may take any desired form, althoughpreferably they will have the form indicated in the drawings. It will beapparent that when the parts of an assembly, as indicated in Figs. 12and 13, consisting in order of plate |68, a gasket |96, a plate |68 andso on, are clamped together as indicated in Fig. 13 and as described inconnection with previous constructions including other plates andgaskets, a fluid medium introduced into ports |18 or |80 will enter thechannels |98 provided in the gasket |96 and in these channels will becaused to Vilow yover the surface of the adjacent cold plates |68eventually coming to the other of the ports |18 or |80 from which it canbe directed out of the heat exchanger. As will be apparent an assemblyof plates |68 and gaskets |96 shown in Fig. 13 and designated generally200 may be supported on a frame structure such as is shown in Figs. land 2 or, alternatively, may be supported in any desired manner.Similarly it may be `clamped together in any desired way. While plates|50, |60 land |68 are described above as cold plates designed to receivea refrigerant, it will be apparent that any of these or similar plates,particularly plate |68, are not limited in use to cooling since anyother desired duid medium, such as steam, for example, may be directedthrough these plates in place of the refrigerant, and heat exchangemedium surrounding the tubes in plate and |60 will serve to l decreasethe intensity of the heat exchange effect.

For the 'purpose of introducing refrigerant or other medium into theplates |68 and removing it through tubes |84 and |86 it is preferable toprovide headers 202 and 204 which extend alongside of the assembly 200as indicated in Fig. 13. Relatively long flexible connections 206 and208 extend from the headers 202 and 204, respectively, up to the tubes|86 and |88, respectively. The relatively long Aflexible connections areprovided to permit the plates |68 and gaskets |96 to be separated for.purposes of cleaning.

In lthe above description all of the plates and gaskets to be supportedon a frame such as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are indicated as beingprovided with slots on their opposite ends in which the spacer bars |2and I4 'are received. If desired, these slots 4particularly on the upperend may be replaced with holes extending through the plate or gasket asthe case may be and entirely enclosed by the material of the plate orgasket thus permitting the plate or gasket to be suspended particularlyfrom the upperfspacer bar |2 and to be removable only by removing thespacer bar I2 which can, however, be readily accomplished particularlywhen the spacer bar I2 is constructed as above described.

It iis :an important advantag'eof this invention that it :provides forthe first time/a lone-piece gasket adapted to be used in combinationwith plane surfaced heat exchange plates .in a lm type Aheat :exchangerand which includes vmeans in the form of a leak detector 'slot forpreventing any leakage of one of two fluid media between which heat isbeing exchanged into the channels or headers through which the otherfluid media is being directed. The leak detector slot extendingyentirely through the thickness of the gasket and communicating with theexterior of the heat exchanger provides an area within the coniinesfofthe gasket which is at atmospheric .pressure and toward which anyleakage of either uid medium Still another important advantage of thegasket 58 resides in the ability of this gasket to serve as the solespacing means between the heat exchange plates clamped against itsopposite faces. This advantage is realized when the resilient casing forgasket 58 is a resilientneoprene com-l position or other similarresilientcom position that does not flow appreciably under the heatand/or pressures encountered in the heat exchangers in which gasket 58is used. Another feature of Vgasket 58 as well as other similar heatexchanger' members disclosed herein Awhich contributes to the capacityof gasket 58 and of the other similar members such as cold plate Ill toserve as the sole spacing means between adjacent heat exchange plates isthe relatively broad area of contact of the gasket or othergpart withthe heat exchange plates which is provided by giving the gasket or otherpart the configuration shown therein or some similar configuration.Further,

Vby providing the plate supporting lingers on thel opposite ends of thechannels through which the media are directed over the surface of theheat exchange plates the heat exchange plates are rmly supportedadjacent openings therethrough and opposite the leak detector slot onthe adiacent gaskets to further prevent leakage.

The novel coldplate construction also provides a desirable modificationof heat exchanger construction and has the advantage of being readilysubstituted in existing heat exchangers for portions thereof. Otheradvantages of the invention will be apparent from the foregoingdescription.

It is apparent that many widely different embodinients of this inventionmaybe made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof andtherefore it is not intended to be limited except as indicated in theappended claims.

I claim:

I. A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between iluid media comprising aseries of thin heat exchange plates, one-piece gaskets readily separablefrom said plates and each interposed between an adjacent pair of saidplates and means for releasably clamping together said series of plateswith said gaskets therebetween, each of said plates being formed withports for said fluid media, said gaskets each having an openingtherethrough forming a channel communicating with said ports fordirecting the flow of one of said media over the surfaces of the pair ofplates between which said gasket is interposed and having anotheropening therethrough for directing the flow of another of said mediapast said gasket and each of said `gaskets having a slot extendingthrough said gasket from one face to the other thereof 4between saidgasket openings and extending across the width of said gasket channelout toward at least one edge of said gasket beyond the edges of saidplates to receive leakage from either of said gasket openings before itreaches the other gasket opening and conduct said leakage to theexterior of said exchanger.

2. A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between fiuid media comprising aseries of thin heat exchange plates, one-piece gaskets readily separablefrom said plates and each interposed between an adjacent pair of saidplates and means for releasably clamping together said series of plateswith said gaskets therebetween, each of said plates being formed withports for said fluid media, said gaskets each having an openingtherethrough forming a channel communicating with said ports fordirecting the flow of one of said media over the surfaces of the pair ofplates between which said gasket is interposed and having anotheropening therethrough for directing Y the ow of another of said mediapast said gasket,

each of said gaskets having an ear extending beyond the edges of saidheat exchange plates and a slot extending through said gasket from oneface to the other thereof between said gasket openings and extendingacross the width of said gasket channel out toward at least one edge ofsaid gasket and into said ear beyond the edges of said plat-es toreceive leakage from either of said gasket openings before it reachesthe other gasket opening and conduct said leakage to the exterior ofsaid exchanger.

3. A heat exchanger for exchangingv heat between fluid media comprisinga series of thin heat exchange plates, one-piece gaskets each separablefrom and interposed between an adjacent pair of said plates, each ofsaid gaskets comprising a template and a body of resilient materialencasing `each element of said template and means for releasablyclamping together said series of plates with said kgaskets therebetween,each of said plates being formed with ports for said iiuid media, saidgaskets each having an opening therethrough forming an elongated channelcommunicating with said ports for directing the flow of one of saidmedia over the surfaces of the pair of plates between which said gasketis interposed and having another opening therethrough for directing theflow of another of said'media past said-gasket and each of said gasketshaving a slot extending therethrough from one face to the other thereofbetween said` gasket openings and extending across the width' of saidgasket channel out toward at least one edge of said gasket beyond theedges of said plates to receive leakage from either of said gasketopenings before it reaches the other gasket opening and conduct saidleakage to the exterior of said exchanger.

4. A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between uid media comprising aseries of thin heat exchange plates, one-piece gaskets each separablefrom and interposed between an adjacent pair of said plates, each ofsaid gaskets comprising a template and a body of resilient materialencasing each element of said template and means for releasably clampingtogether said series of plates with said gaskets therebetween, each ofsaid plates being formed with ports for said fluid media, said gasketseach having an opening 'therethrough forming an elongated channelcommunicating with said ports for directing the flow of one of saidmedia over the surfaces of the pair of plates between which said gasketis interposed and having another opening therethrough for directing theflow of another of said media past said gasket, an ear on each gasketextending beyond the edges of said plates and each of said gasketshaving a slot extending through said gasket from one face to the otherthereof between said gasket openings and extending across the width ofsaid gasket channel out toward. at least one edge of said gasket andinto said ear beyond the edges of said plates to receive leakage fromeither of said gasket openings before it reaches the other gasketopening and conduct said leakage to the exterior of said exchanger.

5. A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between fluid media comprising aseries of thin heat exchange plates., .one-piece gaskets each vseparablefrom Aand interposed .between an adjacent pair of .said plates andcomprising a template and a body 4of resilient neoprene compositionencasing each element of said template, and means .for releasablyclamping together said series of plates with said gaskets therebetween,each of said plates being formed with ports for said fluid media, saidgaskets each `having van opening therethrough forming a thin, elongatedchannel communicating with said ports for directing'the flow of one ofsaid media over the surfaces of the pair of plates between which saidgasket is interposed and having another opening therethrough -fordirecting the how of another of said media `past saidfgasket, an ear oneachofrsa-id encased templates extending beyond the edges of said platesand a slot extending through each gasket from one face to the otherthereof between said gasket openings and extending across the Width ofsaid gasket channel out toward at least one edge of said gasket and intosaid ear beyond the edges'of said plates to receive leakage from Aeitherof said gasket openings before it reaches the other gasket opening andconduct said leakage to the exterior of said exchanger.

6. A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between .uid media comprising aseries of 'thin heat exchange-plates each formed with ports for said uidmedia, one-piece gaskets each separable from and `interposed 'between anadjacent pair of said plates and'meansfor releasably clamping ytogethersaid series of plates with said gaskets therebetween, said Agaskets eachhaving an'opening therethrough forming fa channel overlyingandcommunicating with Asaidports for directing the 110W of one of said`media over the surfaces of the Vpair of plates between VWhich vsaidgasket is interposed and ,having another opening therethrough r,fordirecting the owvof another of ysaid media past said gasket and each ofsaid gaskets having a slot' extending through said gasket from one faceto the other thereof between said gasket openings and extending acrossthe width of said gasket channel out toward at least one edge of saidgasket beyond the edges of said plates to receive leakage from either ofsaid openings before it reaches the other gasket opening and conductsaidleakage to the exterior of said exchanger, and finger-shaped portionshaving a thickness equal to the full thickness of said gasket andextending therefrom longitudinally of said channel over and beyond anadjacent port of an adjacent plate for supporting said plate in thevicinity of said port.

EDWIN K. KINTNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,015,819 Seligman et al Oct. 1,1935 2,039,216 Feldmeier Apr. 28, 1936 2,229,306 Prestage Jan. 21, 19412,252,916 Crosby Aug. 19, 1941 2,256,904 Kintner Sept. 23, 19412,379,671 Wetherby-Williams July 3, 1945 2,428,880 Kintner Oct. 14, 1947FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date ,800,478 vFrance May 4, 1936 413,811Great Britain. July 26, 1934 l496,830 Great Britain Dec. 7, 1938 528,223Great Britain Oct. 24, 1940 529,340 Great Britain Nov. 19, 1940 279,977Italy Nov. 27, 1930

